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Arsenal lead race to sign Declan Rice next summer

By on February 9, 2023

Declan-Rice

Arsenal are reportedly leading the race to sign Declan Rice and West Ham have given up any hope of keeping hold of their star man, as per the CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.

It is an open secret that the Gunners are keen on strengthening their midfield department for next season despite signing Jorginho from Chelsea on deadline day this winter. And it has been suggested that the England international is their primary target.

Writing on Caughtoffside, Jacobs has claimed that Arsenal are ‘favourites’ to secure Rice’s signature and the Hammers ‘are resigned to losing him’ at the end of this season.

The 24-year-old has previously revealed his desire to play in the Champions League and due to that, he doesn’t want to commit his long-term future with the Hammers. Therefore, it is increasingly likely that he will leave the club in order to take the next step in his career following the conclusion of this season.

The midfielder’s current contract will run until June 2024 and there is an option to extend the deal for one more year. So, the East London club are in a solid position to ask a big fee to let their star leave if they are forced to cash in on him next summer.

Rice to Arsenal

David Moyes has already said that the Englishman will not be allowed to leave for anything less than the British transfer record. And recently it was reported that West Ham could ask a fee of around £120m plus bonuses to sell the midfielder at the end of this season.

However, Jacobs claims that the midfielder is likely to leave for cheaper than the British transfer record and the 24-year-old’s suitors such as Arsenal are hoping to get this deal done for as little as £70m.

Jacobs further states that signing Rice won’t be easy for Mikel Arteta’s side as Chelsea, Newcastle United and Manchester United are also plotting a swoop for him. But, the midfielder’s desire to stay in London could give Chelsea and Arsenal an advantage over their northern rivals in this deal. And Arsenal are looking to use their current league position to persuade the midfielder to join the club and beat the Blues in this race.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be able to sign Rice if he leaves the London Stadium next summer. The Gunners are currently in a more stable state than Chelsea – who are languishing down 9th in the table at the moment, so the Emirates Stadium would be a better destination for the 24-year-old over Graham Potter’s side.

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